Chapter 57: All the effort
Zheng Sirui hurried to the government office. As soon as she entered the hall, she saw Yanru half slumped over the couch, her lower body hanging over the edge, her mouth slightly open, her eyes closed, unaware of the world. Her snoring was deafening, and Zheng Sirui was a little confused: "How tired is she?"
Cai Yuan served tea to Zheng Sirui and whispered, "She came in and sat here, clamoring for the best tea in the mansion. I sent someone to get her some, and when I came back, she'd collapsed. Yun Mei, Zhu Ping, and the others didn't like her, and they were afraid of offending her and getting into trouble, so they didn't think of helping her to bed. They thought the master would be back soon, so they let her sleep like this for now."
Zheng Sirui was at a loss for words. "She is indeed proud, but not to the point of making you both afraid and disgusted. Forget it. Go to my room and get a thin blanket and cover her with it."
Cai Yuan left immediately. Zheng Sirui took off her coat and sat on a chair to drink tea. Just as she was about to think about the mess in the Ministry of Revenue, there was a noise from the short couch opposite. Yanru covered her legs and waist and screamed, "Ouch, ah ah ah, it hurts. My legs are numb, my legs are numb, my legs are numb."
Zheng Sirui threw down the tea set and rubbed her waist: "You must be so tired that you almost fall down while sitting. Why do I feel that your face is still round, but your body has become much thinner?"
The torment of more than thirty days came to mind. Yanru was in great pain and made up an excuse: "The pawnshop has been too busy these days. There's nothing we can do."
"Oh, I see." Zheng Sirui said, then asked casually, "By the way, Yanru, is it faster to get to the government office from your pawnshop or from the Xue Mansion?"
Yanru was bewildered: "I don't know? I've never been there. What's wrong?"
"Ah~ I see." Zheng Sirui poured her a cup of tea. "Nothing. They've been taking their time lately when they go out on errands, saying the roads outside are being repaired and difficult to navigate. I wanted to ask you to see if they were lying."
Yanru was so disappointed with her: "Look at you, look at you, you always treat your servants too well, without any rules, no one is afraid of you, and the people are unruly!" She asked Zheng Sirui to call the people over, ready to show off her power and teach her how to use people. Zheng Sirui stopped her and asked hurriedly: "What do you want to do when you come to me today?"
Yanru thought of something serious, smoothed her hair, and explained her purpose: "It's nothing, actually. I just did some calculations a few days ago and thought about my sister Yanbao. She's grown up but doesn't know how to learn anything. She just hangs around in the alleys all day, doing nothing and having no business. My mother is planning to send her to a school as soon as possible to save her the trouble."
Zheng Sirui said, "Yanbao's age is... barely twelve. We used to start school at the age of fifteen or sixteen. Isn't that a bit early?"
Yanru feigned sorrow. "It's early, but there's nothing we can do about it. Look at how annoying she is. She needs to go to school early and be taught by a strict teacher so she can behave like a decent person. My mother originally wanted to send her to Qiushui Academy, but you know best that no matter how good Qiushui is, it's in Jinling. And no matter how good Jinling is, it can't compare to the capital. Since she wants to go to school, she might as well go to the best. I wrote to my mother and discussed it with her. Let her go to Guanyan Academy."
Guanyan Academy was truly exceptional, but unfortunately, the entrance fee was extremely high. If one wasn't from a wealthy or wealthy family, one would need immense connections and connections. Back then, the two of them, one relying on Lu Tianwen and the other on Ji Mingxiu, were fortunate enough to gain admission. Zheng Sirui understood her implication: "What about Xue Jia? Doesn't he possess extraordinary abilities? What did he say?"
Yanru was filled with grievances. "There are connections in the Xue Mansion, but they just need to save his mother's face. You know, his mother is a snake in the mouth, she looks good, but she's picky and weighs the pros and cons. Today I help you do one thing, tomorrow I want you to risk your life for her ten times. Since ancient times, there have been few harmonious relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Those who gave birth to sons, became daughters-in-law when they were young, and took care of their daughters-in-law when they were old. It was not easy for them in the past, but now they find fault with everything and make others suffer as much as she does. If I ask her for help on behalf of my mother's family, she will definitely blame me and make me feel bad."
Zheng Sirui sighed, "Men and women marry to find a partner to share their lives with, to discuss everything and make progress together, which is a kind of support in a difficult life. But when they actually get married, it gives rise to countless trivialities that torment them. No wonder they say love and companionship are a matter between two people, but after marriage, it becomes a matter between two families, comparable to the Chu-Han contention. By the way, what about those new friends you made? Aren't their families said to be powerful figures in the court? Why not talk to them? Even if they can't help, they can still give some ideas and solutions. Listening to them is better than worrying aimlessly at home."
"How can I ask them? They are all a bunch of snobs who are good at picking on people. If they knew that our family can't even send our daughter to school, how will they look at me in the future? What will happen to the pawnshop business? How can I deal with them at the wine table in the future?" Yanru struck while the iron was hot: "That's right, so, after thinking about it, I still want you to make a decision for me. My mother has been worried about this matter recently. She has blisters at the corners of her mouth and it's hard for her to work. Hey, you also know that my grandmother and Yanbao's expenses all rely on my mother's embroidery. The money I used to treat you was earned by her hard work... Now, hey..."
Zheng Sirui had long suspected her intentions, both overtly and covertly. Over the years, whenever Yanru asked her for something, it was always related to the incident three or four years ago when she stole money to save her. It seemed as if she would be ungrateful if she didn't help Yanru out of her predicament. At this point, she couldn't refuse, so she could only say, "Guanyan Academy is too difficult to get into. Let me think of some ways. However, I can only do my best. If it doesn't work out, you can't blame me."
Hearing her promise, Yanru was overjoyed. She didn't care whether her next words were true or not, and ignored them. Now that the important matter was settled, Yanru felt relieved. Then she noticed that Zheng Sirui was wearing a phoenix bloodstone bracelet. She lifted her arm and examined it carefully. "This bracelet looks expensive. You are willing to spend money on jewelry. It's really amazing!"
Zheng Sirui simply took it off and let her play with it: "Just like you said, when you are working, you can't avoid socializing. When it comes to socializing, you always respect your clothes first and then respect others. Even if you don't like it, you have to prepare a few pieces of clothing."
Yanru held it up, peering at the bracelet through the light. Legend has it that in ancient times, a bird-lion, vicious and aggressive, flew over Yuyan Mountain in search of food when it spotted a phoenix hatching. It suddenly developed a vicious desire and bit the phoenix. Upon hearing the news, the phoenix rushed over and, united with the phoenix in their hatred, fought the madman. Though victorious, the phoenix was severely injured, its blood staining Yuyan Mountain red, giving rise to this stone. Phoenix Blood Stone is rare, and a bracelet with such distinct red and white colors, free of impurities, is even rarer. Yanru sighed, "What a gem! How much did this bracelet cost?"
Zheng Sirui gave a figure and said with a smile, "It's quite expensive, but I just got my salary when I bought it, so I spent the money without hesitation."
Yanru's raised lips drooped. It was a huge sum, and Zheng Sirui, wanting to spend it, squandered it recklessly, no one daring to object. And yet, before and after her marriage, Ji Mingxiu's rouge, Liu Xiang's red fox fur robe, Xue Jia's jewelry—every one of them she hadn't acquired through shameless defiance, coquettishness, and flirting, sacrificing every bit of self-respect and every bit of face, leaving her feeling resentful and unbalanced. She looked up and saw that Zheng Sirui's face had been worn down by the constant paperwork since she took office. She thought to herself: She studied hard since childhood, passed the civil service exam, and earned enough money to buy a bracelet; I just lowered my attitude a little towards men, and I easily acquired piles of good things. In this world, I'm happier.
Yanru relaxed and chatted with Zheng Sirui for a while before driving away before it got completely dark. Caiyuan accompanied Zheng Sirui to watch the old lady go. They stood at the door, watching the horse's hooves raise yellow dust, gradually moving away, shrinking into a tiny statue. Caiyuan resented Yanru for her hypocrisy. She agreed to help but was unwilling to pass on the message to Zheng Sirui for consultation, causing her daughter Yi and herself to suffer more hardships. She said coldly: "This Madam You is really good at ordering people around. She and her ugly husband with a donkey face and a frog body usually order people around, and greet those playboys with the surnames Wang and Zhang, calling them good brother and dear sister. Now they have something to ask of you, instead of asking those gods and arhats, they ask you to go."
Zheng Sirui said tiredly, "If I can help, I'll help. Like she said, she saved my life back then, how can I not repay such a great favor? What's more, she and I have been good friends for four years, ever since I entered Qiushui Academy. I don't have any brothers or sisters by my side, so it's rare to have a friend who understands my feelings, so I must cherish her."
Cai Yuan thought about how she and her sister had come to the Yi Mansion to make a living. Although they didn't have their parents by their side, they still had sisters to rely on and look after, so they didn't have to feel sad about their miserable lives. When they encountered disaster, the maids in the Yi Mansion who were close to them were afraid of their master's majesty and kept themselves safe. Only her biological sister was willing to sneak out and find someone to pass on the message for her and Miss Yi, saving her from the dire situation and seeking a way out. Cai Yuan was quite moved by Zheng Sirui's words and said, "My Lord is a man of loyalty and friendship. If you want to help, just go with all your heart and do what you can."
Zheng Sirui smiled, silently pondering her plans. Over the next few days, while attending court, she treated several of her best female colleagues, who had passed the imperial examination at the same time, to dinner, asking for advice and giving them a generous amount of gifts out of her own pocket. However, Zheng Sirui's fifth-rank official rank wasn't particularly high, and as an outsider, she tended to be aloof and unsociable, lacking any connections or influence. She had no connections, no influence, and even with courteous gifts and no cold stares, she was inevitably met with indifference and an awkward position.
Finally, Zheng Sirui recalled the classmate who had once asked her to work for money. Her family was well-connected and kind-hearted, so she was sure she could help. However, the eldest son of that classmate had once courted her, and to protect her reputation, she had restrained her intimacy with him, especially after he got married. Now, Zheng Sirui had no choice but to swallow her pride and brazenly buy him a lot of gifts and pay him a visit.
The classmate, still warmhearted, mobilized her husband's and her family's connections to secure a place for Zheng Sirui. "The places at Guanyan Academy are already full this year, so I'm sorry I can't help you. However, I have found a second-rate one for you. My brother's father-in-law is just as knowledgeable as Master Lu at Qiushui Academy. He runs a private school at home. If you don't mind, you can go there as a little sister."
At the mention of her brother, Zheng Sirui was speechless and blushed, then quickly smiled, "Ah, I know that old scholar. He used to be with Master Lu at the Academician's Residence, and later we both went to the Imperial Academy. He's a formidable figure, both ancient and modern, both in China and abroad. If I could have him teach me and answer my questions on my path to learning, it would truly be a great blessing in life, a blessing I couldn't even ask for, so why would I refuse it? I'll accept it!"
Zheng Sirui rushed to find Yanru and happily told her what had happened. Yanru exclaimed, "A private school? A newly opened private school? Telling others about it would be so embarrassing! No, no, our daughter of the You family must go to a private school!"
Zheng Sirui held her forehead with her hand. "In both academies and private schools, the teachers teach and the students listen. Whether the name is famous or not is not important. What matters most is whether the teacher is knowledgeable or not."
Yanru pouted, rolled her eyes sarcastically, and shook her shoulders. "No, there aren't many people coming and going in the private school, and Yanbao doesn't have any good friends to show off. I have to ask her to go to the academy and make more friends with girls from good families. Please go and ask around for me, please." Seeing Zheng Sirui sighing silently, her face showing weariness and difficulty, Yanru stepped forward and hugged her hand. She used the same method she used on Xue Jia, hinting, "Please, Ruirui, my mother is so worried about this that she's sick. She has a high fever and is bedridden. You know better than anyone how uncomfortable it is. You also understand better than anyone how much medicine and time it will take to get better. Please, try to think of some other solutions, okay?"
Zheng Sirui was in great pain and could only thank the classmate first: "I'm sorry for all the thought you put into it. Unfortunately, her family said Guanyan is a good place and she only wants to go there. Forget it, I'll pay you my salary in seven days, and then I'll treat you to dinner at Zuixianlou."
The classmate didn't take it seriously: "It's just adding a seat at my relative's house, it's not a big deal. Hey, now I know, since you found me, why don't you ask your boss, Lu Zhiling? He is Master Lu's beloved nephew, and his family are all newly minted officials. One of Master Lu's sons is still in the scholar's mansion. You can go directly to Lu Zhiling and ask him to help ask your cousin."
Lu Zhiling? Yanru nearly fainted. In the past, when she was working with her subordinates, she would have wanted to have everyone in the Ministry of Revenue listen in, fearing rumors would spread, just to keep her name clean. Bringing gifts behind his back, smiling, and asking him to use the backdoor—what difference was there between this and jumping into a cesspool?
Having said that, after worrying all night, Zheng Sirui decided to get the matter over with quickly. She took the opportunity of leaving the office to block Lu Zhiling's way with the prepared gifts.
After hearing her intention, Lu Zhiling didn't reply. He just opened the box she handed him and said, "Oh, a hardcover illustrated edition of the Classic of Mountains and Seas by a famous artist. After all these years, you still remember my preferences?"
Zheng Sirui stared at him with a playful smile. It was obviously the same person with the same face. When they were in love, she only thought he was handsome, elegant and suave. But once they parted ways, looking at him through the rain, hatred and clouds, his suaveness became vulgar and extremely disgusting. She wanted to be done with one punch.
I wonder if all women in the world are like her.
She smiled wryly, and Lu Zhiling said hurriedly, "Haha, don't be so serious between superiors and subordinates. It makes me look difficult to please. It's just asking someone to ask questions and find a place to study. Why do you need my cousin? Just wait a few days, and I'll give you a definite answer in a few days."
After much trouble and busyness, six days later, the autumn enrollment notice of Guanyan Academy went through several rounds and was handed from Lu Zhiling to Zheng Sirui, and then landed on the table in front of Yanru.
"Ruirui, you actually went to Lu Zhiling for me, you're so kind!" Yanru cheered and jumped for joy, but then she thought to herself: She had worked so hard for a long time, and finally got the result from her old lover. Who says men are useless? A rich and powerful man is the most useful! "
Since the good results have been achieved, Yanbao must be brought to the capital as soon as possible to prepare for her future schooling. Yanru asked for leave from her husband's mother-in-law and rushed to her parents' home in Jinling without stopping. Qian Peilan held the invitation from Guanyan Academy in her hand and couldn't let it go. She hugged Yanru and kept coaxing her, saying "good girl, good girl". Yanru was the center of attention at home. She had long forgotten about Xue Jia's exposure of the illusion created by the You family and her own house arrest. After getting married, her status in the family soared because of her husband's status in the capital. The affirmation of her mother and grandmother came from marriage. Yanru wanted them to look at her more highly. She felt that she was capable and married well. She was a well-deserved and powerful figure in the family. If she succeeded, the whole You family would rise to prominence.
So, when Grandma Qian was about to find out the origins of the academy invitation so that she could brag about the abilities of her granddaughter and her grandson-in-law, Yan Ru said calmly:
"Grandma, there's really nothing much to say...Okay, okay, let me tell you again. This was brought by Xue Jia. Xue Jia treated a few young masters to a meal, and they helped to get it for our family. Well, there's nothing we can do. He's the descendant of a major general, and his business is big, so many people support him. Otherwise, they would say he's capable."
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